The breakthrough, published today in Nature Communications, reveals a novel method for identifying damage to the lining of microscopic blood vessels.
This transforms our ability to detect disease at its very earliest stages, before it progresses and becomes potentially life‑threatening.
Minimal impact
Previously, detecting this type of vascular damage relied on invasive tissue biopsies and advanced microscopy techniques.
In this latest development, the Bristol team demonstrate a new way to identify damage to the blood vessel lining.
They do this by tracking changes in the sugar and protein‑rich coating on the surface of these vessels, known as the glycocalyx.
Glycocalyx
This thin, protective layer lines the inside of our blood vessels, but it is highly sensitive and can change rapidly at the earliest signs of illness.
The glycocalyx also acts as a crucial barrier, regulating what moves in and out of the bloodstream and directing immune cells to where they are needed.
When the glycocalyx becomes damaged, researchers show that it serves as the earliest marker of disease.
Biochemical ‘imprint’
Using advanced chemical techniques, the team demonstrated that as blood circulates around the body, red blood cells and blood vessel walls continuously exchange components of this protective coating when they come into contact.
Importantly, they found that the transfer of the glycocalyx onto red blood cells creates a biochemical ‘imprint’ that closely reflects the condition of the blood vessel lining.
This discovery paves the way for a simple blood test that could allow doctors to detect blood vessel damage at an earlier stage than before.
Transforming diagnosis
Dr Matthew Butler, the study’s first author, Consultant Senior Lecturer and Medical Research Council (MRC) Clinician Scientist at the University of Bristol and Honorary Nephrology Consultant at North Bristol NHS Trust explains:
The health of our blood vessels is central to our overall health and monitoring blood vessel damage has been a routine part of healthcare for decades.
However, a huge portion of the vascular system is currently inaccessible to doctors and scientists because the vessels are too small to be seen.
Our results suggest, that we can use changes occurring at the surface of red blood cells to identify microscopic blood vessel damage before other markers become detectable.
Most excitingly, we can also rapidly detect when drugs are effective at restoring the blood vessel lining.
These findings could transform our ability to spot and treat disease before it progresses to become potentially irreversible or life-threatening.
Proactive, preventative healthcare
Professor Simon Satchell, Professor of Renal and Vascular Medicine at the University of Bristol and the study’s last author, added:
Our findings provide a powerful tool for identifying potential health issues at a much earlier stage.
This discovery could pave the way for proactive, preventative healthcare, offering the possibility of addressing diseases before they develop.
The study was directly funded by the MRC and Kidney Research UK (KRUK), the British Heart Foundation and Diabetes funded one or more of the co-authors.
